Sermon for Lent Midweek 3

Christ crucified. “The Wisdom of God”

1 Corinthians 3:18-22

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Christ crucified seemed to be foolish. So we who cling to Christ crucified, would seem to be fools.

Pilate was amazed that Jesus would not defend Himself, but would go forward to crucifixion. Pilate’s wife wanted him to have nothing to do with Christ crucified. In the same way, many Greeks and Romans heard the good news of Christ crucified, brushed it off as foolishness. Every century since, there have many who were wise in this world, so wise that they considered Christ crucified foolishness. It is of them, that the verse says, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.”

So we hold dear what the world says is foolish. We believe that Christ crucified is the Wisdom of God. All these years later and we talk about it, we sing about it, we pray about it, we lean our faith on it. We pray that the Lord would imprint this image on our hearts, that the full inscription be, Jesus Crucified for me.

In 1 Corinthians 3 Paul shows the great contrast between human, worldly wisdom and God’s wisdom. “If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.”

The Lord does not care how smart you are in the wisdom of this age, this world. He calls you to have His wisdom.

Now of course, there is some stuff you gotta know to get by in life. When you learn your lessons, when you pass a test, earn a certificate, you get a measurable recognition. But the true wisdom that God seeks in you is not something you can show off or boast about. It must come from above. And it is placed into you.

One of the problems that Paul was dealing with in 1 Corinthians, was that the Corinthians were dividing themselves up into different groups. Some were bragging that they were taught by the Apostle Paul. Others said well, we are of Peter’s.  Others said Apollos, is ours. It was silly, and it was missing the big idea of what it means to be a Christian. Paul tells them, “So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, ²² whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, ²³ and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's.”

The Corinthian’s problem was that they were thinking too little of themselves and what all they have because they are saved by Christ. They had forgiveness of their sins, eternal life,  the Holy Spirit and his many gifts, and they had the wisdom of heaven.

All things are yours. You have to think that way, when you lust after pleasures in this world, why? All things are yours.  When you feel the frustration of not getting your way, All things are yours. When you suffer a loss, and lose what you thought you could never live without, All things are yours, because you are Christ’s.

There is a fear of the unknown. You might have a fear of being foolish. People often have the bad dream in which they show up to work and suddenly can’t remember how to do their job.

When it comes to knowing the heavenly truth. You don’t need to fear or worry. Don’t ever allow feelings of inadequacy into your head when it comes to your faith and wisdom. All things are yours. And you are Christ’s.

Many Christians are tongue-tied when it comes to their faith. They feel unfit to speak about the things of Christ; they are afraid to say something wrong and sound like a fool.  

Take stock of the wisdom that is yours in Christ crucified.

Christ crucified is the Wisdom of God. When Christ was crucified for you, He gave you all things. In Christ you have it all and you lack nothing. You can say, The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. Amen.